New lawyers take oath from fathers

Note: Most newspaper content reprinted here is incomplete and delayed. Want it all? Sooner? Subscribe to our full print and online editions by calling (559) 674-4207 and get both editions for the price of one!

Two brand new attorneys stood before their fathers Monday in Madera’s Superior Court to be sworn in as lawyers. Stephen Blea and Eric LiCalsi, who learned Friday that they had passed the state bar exam, raised their hands and swore before their fathers that they would protect the U.S. Constitution and discharge their duties as officers of the court.

Stephen was sworn in by his father, Judge Dale J. Blea, while Eric took the oath administered by his father, Judge Ernest J. LiCalsi.

Both judges expressed pride at the opportunity of swearing in their sons. Judge LiCalsi said, “It is not every day that a judge gets to administer the oath to his son. This is happy occasion.”

Judge Blea told the courtroom, which included 30 friends and relatives, that “practicing law is an honorable profession, and it is made all the more honorable by including these who are being sworn in today.” ...